Chapter Text
A soft breeze made itself welcome through the ajar window. The curtains waving a warm greeting to all the guests joining the hangout. It’s a jolly morning. The sun is bright, enjoying the last days of its summer glory. Butterflies dance as the birds sing. The neighbors mowing the lawn or walking their dogs, everyone seems busy. A lone yawn emits, followed by a good stretch. The bell hanging from the collar jingles due to the sudden movement. The ebony fur shines in the direct sunlight. The feline observes the outdoor world, feeling safe behind the glass as it has curled up its petit body on the sill. Having nothing else to do, the cat jumps out and goes to meander through the neighborhood.
---
A soft crunch results from butter spreading on a piece of whole-grain bread. The kettle whistling for attention as the tea bags get placed in three respective mugs. A cacophonous mount joins the family in the kitchen with excessive enthusiasm. Drool painting the floor as well as the golden fur covering the canine. The sound of kibble hitting the bottom of a blue porcelain bowl echoes throughout the almost-serene space.
“Son of a bitch!” The perfectly toasted bread breaks into two halves due to the pressure of the sharp silverware.
“Language.” A sigh comes from the sheriff reading the latest news on the daily journal.
“You look a bit tense, honey. What’s the matter?” The worried mother asks her son.
“Nothing. It’s just stress, I guess.” His eyes close shut as he exhales.
“You have nothing to worry about, darling. Everything will go as planned. You’ll make new friends, learn new things, and most importantly, you’ll pursue your biggest dream.”
“James, you’ve been through this. Why don’t you reassure your son?” The wife nudged her husband.
“That was decades ago, but yeah, there’s nothing to worry about.” James took a sip from his steeped tea.
“But what if I am not good enough? what if I become a shit officer and can’t help the others in need?” A huff of exhaustion leaves his pink lips.
“The world is wide and it’s impossible for a sole person to save it in a day, maybe not even a millennium, but what you can do is start small. At first, it will feel fruitless, like a waste of time, but trust me, the responsibility will increase in no time. The smallest of actions can save a nation, son. You’ll make a damned good officer, I know it.” The father taps his son’s shoulder in encouragement as he exits the room.
“Why don’t you take Lucky on a walk? maybe it’ll lessen your stress.” Sarah smiles at her worried son.
---
“Mom, where’s Lucky’s leash?” the boy asks as the fluffy hound jumps around in excitement, ready for his morning walk.
Sarah descends the stairs to meet the pair near the door.
“I don’t know, use the old one. I’m sure it’s fine.”
“The old one is on its last life, mom. You know how Lucky is, he’ll break this ancient rope the moment we step out.” Another factor to add to his things-that-stress-me-out list. It would be absolutely fine to walk a dog sans leash especially with a golden retriever since they cause no harm, but some neighbors have outdoor cats that wouldn’t reciprocate the energy this three-year-old dog has.
“Just go, Leon. Stop overcalculating everything.” His birth giver laughs at him as she kisses his cheek goodbye.
---
The first steps seemed alright. Leon even found himself relaxing. He quite enjoyed walking the dog, but that was soon interrupted by a damned squirl that caught the retriever’s attention.
“Calm down, boy.” Leon panicked as Lucky squirmed, trying to break free from his confines.
“If you keep that act up, this thing will snap.” Leon warned as he tried calming down the overjoyed dog.
“Stay put! Luc- ” The pupper dashed at full speed after its prey. The blue band busted, barks filled the semi-quiet street, chaos ensued.
“Come back here right this instant!” Sprinting after Lucky, muttering curses, but the dog didn’t mind it at all, only one goal in mind which is catching the squirl.
Lucky halted his movements as the smaller creature climbed the branches of a nearby tree.
Leon caught up to the duo, catching his breath as he neared his pet.
“What were you thinking? Going after this poor thing definitely isn’t wise. Pick at things your size.” He tugs at Lucky’s ear hard enough to punish him but not enough to actually hurt him. A loud hiss disturbed the crying dog attempting to apologize to his owner.
“Shit, Lucky. That’s not a squirl; that’s an adult cat!” Leon exclaims.
“Come down, little one. I won’t hurt you.”
“You won’t, but she certainly will.” A deep feminine voice rings. The black cat jumps swiftly to the ground and runs towards the lady, rubbing at her exposed shin and hissing at the males.
“Is this, your cat? I am so sorry; the leash broke an-”
“Didn’t ask for an explanation.” She deadpanned. Picking up the angry feline and coming close to the nervous boy’s face.
“Next time you walk your dog, make sure to have secured pockets, Leon.” She hands him his wallet. His face turned blood red at the embarrassment.
“Tha- thanks, whoever you are?” He scratches the back of his neck. She is already gone.
He checks his wallet and finds everything intact. The stranger must’ve seen his ID to know his name, right? Sounds logical because he has never seen her before.
Don’t get him wrong, he was born and raised in this neighborhood, knew everyone around pretty well, so it was weird seeing someone new without having introduced themselves to the whole area, it was their tradition after all. But she didn’t seem friendly, so he is not that surprised.
“Let’s go home, Luck. I think we’ve had enough.”
---
“Dad?” Leon called as he entered the threshold.
“He left for work, dear.” His mother replied from the living room.
“Mom, has anyone moved in here, recently?” Leon asks as he slumps on the cushioned sofa.
“No, not that I know of, why?” Curiosity mixed with confusion painted her face. Leon was never really interested in meeting new people because of his shy personality.
“I saw this girl; she doesn’t look like she’s from around. I dropped my wallet, and she gave it back.”
“She must’ve moved in freshly, perchance. I haven’t seen any new faces, no one even talked about a possible newbie, bizarre.” Her dark blue eyes got lost in deep thought.
“I will make some cookies, a welcome gift and a thank you for bringing your stuff back.” She got up at once and headed to the kitchen.
“Um, that won’t be necessary. She doesn’t seem amiable.” Leon tried to stop his mother.
“Moving can be hard for some people. Cookies made with love will surely cheer any sad soul.”
---
A fresh batch of cookies later, Leon found himself pacing near his mother as she neatly put the baked-goods in an air-tight container along with a welcome note.
“I am getting dizzy with all of this turning, Leon!” His mother hissed.
“How do you expect me to give her those? She obviously hates me. Plus, I don’t even know where she lives and what if she’s allergic to something?” Leon was acting frantic.
“You know this place like the back of your hand, finding a new furnished house shouldn’t be that much of hustle.” Sarah finished packing and gave the container to her son with a smile.
“Off you go!” She shooed him.
---
“What the fuck am I doing?” Leon whispered to himself. After fifteen minutes of searching around the familiar streets, he spotted the abandoned house no one really knew much about.
It has been deserted since its owners left the country and no one seemed interested in buying it, till now, apparently. He was sure about it being his target hence the evil black cat hissing at him through the window. He knocked twice before the door swung open to reveal the mysterious woman. In the morning, he didn’t have the time to carefully inspect her face. She had gorgeous hazel eyes within which swam murky dilated pupils. Her spotless skin was glimmering just like her pitch-black hair which framed her sharp features. She had a crimson mini dress on, she looked like a supermodel who had just merged out of the latest magazine. He couldn’t help but marvel at her utter beauty.
“Why are you here, Leo?” Her rude tone broke his daze.
“It’s Leon, actually. I wanted to, um, to…” He stammered.
“Same thing. Still stuttering at your age?” She mocked him. “Stop wasting my time.”
He couldn’t fathom why she was acting that way but the good side of him made he believe that it must be hard for her with all the change.
“I am sorry about earlier. Here is a welcome gift, my mother made them just for you, they’re the best in my opinion.” He smiled handing the dessert to her crossed arms.
“Do I look like a charity case to you? Do I look like a person in need of baked cookies and kind greetings?” She approached him, still not accepting his offer.
“No, not at all. But we have a tradition of greeting newcomers. We always do this. I hope I didn’t offend you.” His neck blushed.
“Spare me.” She slammed the door.
He stayed pinned to his place in shock. Not having expected that but not completely surprised seeing her behavior earlier.
---
Gentle scribbling noise occupied his busy mind. Shades blend together as he haphazardly moves his pencil. A hand to his shoulder frightens him.
“Jeez, you scared me.” He whispers.
“You should sleep, you have a big day tomorrow!” She takes the pencil out of his hand.
He goes to bed placidly.
“So that’s the enigmatic evil neighbor, huh?” She clutches the newly drawn picture. “Stunning but gnarly.”
“I wasn’t really focusing, didn’t mean to draw her, but I think she traumatized me.”
“You probably won’t come across her again since you start the police academy tomorrow. We won’t come across you as much, either.” She kissed his forehead tenderly.
“I guess.”
“Goodnight, dear.” She whispered, turning the lights off.
---
Deep breaths go into the system replacing old ones in a continuous pattern. Clammy hands clutch the straps of the old-school backpack. His baby-blue eyes read the sign that proudly says ‘GREENLAKES POLICE ACADEMY’.
“This is it.” He murmurs to himself.
The bell rings, the seniors and sophomores and freshmen join their respective classes. Each name found on a list taped to the door.
Leon sat down in the front desk, seeking better concentration, other students began to fill the classroom. At last, the professor came to introduce himself.
“Good morning, everyone. My name’s mister Hemsworth. I’ll be your instructor for the upcoming year. The rules are simple, you respect them, I respect you. If you don’t, you will be punished. First of all, never be late. I won’t tolerate a minute of tardiness. Punctuality is key.
Second of all, you should take into account the officers around as well as the other students. Fights are forbidden, no matter the cause. Punishments do include expulsion.
Third of a-” The door swings open and a figure barges in. Everyone is startled as she makes her way to the back of the class. Her hazel eyes meet Leon’s blue ones. She throws a nasty look his way as she takes the empty desk.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”